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Sanders urged his party to rally around its candidate (Source: Getty)

James Nickerson

In stark contrast to the Republican convention, leading Democrats at different wings of the party have come together to urge unity around Hillary Clinton.

At the Democratic National Convention, hosted this week, once-upon-a-time rival Bernie Sanders not just endorsed Clinton but pleaded to the party to unite around her.

"Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States," he said.

"While Donald Trump is busy insulting one group after another, Hillary Clinton understands that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

"If you don't believe this election is important, if you think you can sit it out, take a moment to think about the Supreme Court justices that Donald Trump would nominate and what that would mean to civil liberties, equal rights and the future of our country," he added.

The Democrat, formerly secretary of state, is still the frontrunner in the election, though Trump has already defied greater odds to gain the Republican nomination.

At his party's convention he failed to get solid endorsements from former challenger Ted Cruz, while former candidate Mitt Romney, and former presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush have both refused to endorse him.